Turkey’s rising status as a golf holiday hot spot has been underlined by a new survey of golf tour operators compiled by KPMG’s Budapest-based Golf Advisory Practice.

The Golf Travel Insights 2013 report suggests that Turkey is now the fourth most popular golf travel destination after Spain, Portugal and Scotland.

The survey, which questioned more than 110 golf tour operators from 38 countries on their results in 2012, also found that package price is now the most important factor for customers when choosing a golf holiday.

More than half of golf tour operators said they had maintained the same price points for golf packages year-on-year, while 35 per cent had increased prices.

Turkey and other emerging markets, including Vietnam and Thailand, saw an increase in package prices but remain competitive.

Overall, the golf travel market continued to grow in 2012, as it did in 2011, with 57 per cent of tour operators recording an increase in business, and 80 per cent predicting an increase again in 2013.

KPMG partner Andrea Sartori said: “It’s encouraging to see the golf travel market continue to grow and recover from the economic downturn.

“What’s interesting is that consumers are now saying price is the most important factor when choosing a golf holiday, although the quality of courses is still extremely important. In part, this is why we are seeing emerging destinations such as Turkey being able to position themselves effectively for the market – the quality of the courses is high and the packages represent good value for money.”